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MMS 173 | Assignment 5
For this activity, I wanted to focus on an object that’s personally connected to my daily life and work. I’ve been incorporating elements of my routine into previous activities, and I believe this approach allows me not only to learn the technical aspects of photography—such as composition, camera techniques, and basic post-processing—but also to practice visual storytelling. I chose a sachet of Kopiko Brown as my subject because it’s my favorite coffee and has become an essential part of my daily routine. It helps me power through my daily tasks, especially on days when I’m running on little sleep due to overlapping academic and work responsibilities.
11 Different Ways
Camera: Vivo V30e (Pro-feature)
I was shooting in my room, and the only source of light was my room's light bulb. For this shot, I planned to take it while pouring water into a cup, to show motion blur. To do that, I used a slow shutter speed of 1 second. This allowed the camera to record any movement during that time, resulting in a dynamic blur effect. I kept the ISO low (100) to reduce noise and avoid overexposure, as longer exposure times can make photos too bright in normal light.
I positioned the coffee sachet and mug side by side—placing the coffee on the left and the mug on the right—to create a sense of asymmetrical balance. While the two objects are not identical in shape or size, their visual weight complements each other, establishing harmony within the frame. Additionally, the line of the table subtly functions as a leading lines, which lead the viewer's eyes to the subject.
Camera: Vivo V30e (Pro-feature)
I was still shooting in my room, using only the light from my room’s light bulb. For this shot, I captured the moment coffee granules were being poured from the sachet. To freeze the motion of the falling coffee mid-air, I used a fast shutter speed of 1/1000 second. This very short exposure time allowed me to sharply capture the texture and form of the coffee granules in mid-pour, creating a crisp, frozen moment. Because fast shutter speeds let in less light, I had to increase the ISO to 2000 to properly expose the image under indoor lighting conditions.
The texture of the coffee granules in motion adds visual interest and realism. The shadows created by my room's light bulb bring depth to the image. The composition also reflects movement and direction, with the slightly diagonal or mostly vertical line of the falling coffee acting as a dynamic element in a static frame.
Camera: Vivo V30e (Pro-feature)
This photo was taken in the same indoor setting, with my room’s light bulb as the only light source. I placed the Kopiko Brown sachet at the center of the frame to make it the clear focal point. To reduce the intensity of the direct light and avoid overexposure, I intentionally blocked part of the light using my body, creating a dimmer scene. Under these low-light conditions, I used a high ISO of 1600 combined with a moderate shutter speed of 1/60 second. This combination helped me achieve a properly exposed image despite the limited lighting.
I placed the object in the center following the principle of emphasis, guiding the viewer’s attention directly to the subject without distraction. The contrast between the brown coffee sachet and the dark blue background also adds visual interest and depth to the composition
Camera: Vivo V30e (Pro-feature)
Again, this photo was taken in the same indoor setting, using my room’s light bulb as the primary light source. I positioned the Kopiko Brown sachet at the center of the frame to maintain emphasis and consistency in composition. Unlike the previous shot, I did not block the light source this time. This choice helped compensate for the low ISO setting of 100, which typically captures less light but results in a much cleaner, sharper image with minimal noise.
To balance the low sensitivity of the sensor, I used a shutter speed of 1/125 second, which was fast enough to avoid motion blur while still taking advantage of the available light. The result is a well-exposed image with smoother textures and crisp details. The contrast between the brown sachet and the dark blue background remains visually engaging, and the cleaner tonal range enhances the overall depth and quality of the photo.
Camera: Vivo V30e (Pro-feature)
For this shot, I switched to landscape orientation and used a 16:9 aspect ratio, in contrast to my previous 1:1 square compositions. This wider frame allowed me to explore more space and context around the subject, which helped in applying the rule of thirds more effectively. I positioned the Kopiko Brown sachet on the left third of the frame, slightly angled to the right, creating a natural sense of direction and movement across the photo. The ISO was set to 200, and the shutter speed was 1/250 second, fast enough to eliminate motion blur and capture a clean, sharp image under indoor lighting.
A key element of visual interest in this image is the color contrast, just like most of the shots, between the brown sachet and the dark blue background, which draws attention to the subject and adds visual depth. The use of negative space on the right side of the frame also enhances the subject's presence, making the overall image feel balanced despite the off-center placement.
Camera: Vivo V30e (Pro-feature)
For this photo, I used a portrait orientation and originally shot in a 4:3 aspect ratio, but later cropped it to 3:4 to emphasize vertical framing and better suit the composition. To position the Kopiko Brown sachet in the center of the frame, I attached it to the wall using double-sided tape. This allowed me to experiment with a new background while keeping the object upright and properly aligned within the portrait layout.
Because the lighting in the room was limited to a single bulb, I set the ISO to 1600 to help brighten the image and maintain exposure. A shutter speed of 1/60 second balanced the sensitivity without introducing motion blur, ensuring the photo remained sharp despite the relatively dim lighting.
The sachet remains the focal point through the principle of emphasis, made stronger by the color contrast between the brown packaging and the dark blue wall. This pairing creates visual depth and makes the object stand out clearly. The portrait orientation naturally draws the viewer’s eye vertically, complementing the shape of the sachet and enhancing the sense of form and structure within the image.
Camera: Vivo V30e (Pro-feature)
For this shot, I returned to a 1:1 aspect ratio and experimented with a Dutch angle, where I tilted the camera. This technique added a sense of tension and dynamism to the otherwise static subject. I used a shutter speed of 1/250 second to avoid motion blur, and set the ISO to 400 since the room lighting was moderately bright. This setting offered a clean image without too much grain or overexposure.
The color contrast between the brown sachet and the blue background remains a strong design element, helping to keep the focus on the subject. In this frame, the shadows cast behind the sachet due to the angled light source also played an important role. They not only grounded the object within the frame but also added a layer of depth and texture, enriching the visual experience.
Camera: Vivo V30e (Pro-feature)
For this shot, I adjusted the white balance setting to 4000K, which gave the image a noticeably cooler tone. To achieve proper exposure, I used an ISO of 500 and a shutter speed of 1/60 second. The ISO was set at a moderate level to balance sensitivity and reduce noise, while the slower shutter speed allowed more light to hit the sensor, compensating for the dimmer lighting in the room. However, in hindsight, I could have increased the ISO to a higher value to brighten the image and reduce the need for a slower shutter speed, which would have helped capture more light and prevented any potential motion blur.
The composition places the Kopiko Brown sachet in the center, continuing the principle of emphasis. Center placement ensures the viewer’s attention is immediately drawn to the subject. Additionally, the soft shadow behind and beside the sachet introduces visual depth to the image.
Camera: Vivo V30e (Pro-feature)
For this shot, I set the white balance to 6500K, which introduced a warmer tone to the image. The ISO remained at 500, and the shutter speed stayed at 1/60 second to maintain consistent exposure. The warmer color temperature is now evident compared to the one with 4000K, however, in hindsight, I could have adjusted the ISO to a higher value to brighten the image slightly, as the relatively low ISO resulted in a darker photo than expected.
This shot shares the same elements as the cool white balance photo, including the composition where the Kopiko Brown sachet is centered, adhering to the principle of emphasis. Both create a strong visual contrast with the brown sachet and the dark blue background, and the shadows in both shots contribute to visual depth.
Camera: Vivo V30e (Pro-feature)
For this creative shot, I used two mirrors to create a kaleidoscope-like effect of the Kopiko Brown sachet, resulting in a radial composition. The repeating reflections radiate outward from the center, drawing the viewer's eye towards the subject. The sides of the mirrors function as leading lines, guiding the viewer's attention toward the center of the image, where the sachet is placed. I set the ISO to 800 to provide enough sensitivity for the lighting conditions, while using a shutter speed of 1/125 second to ensure the image was sharp without motion blur. The contrast between the brown sachet and the background was emphasized by the mirrors, creating visual interest and depth.
Camera: Vivo V30e (Pro-feature)
For this creative shot, I placed the Kopiko Brown sachet on top of a bowl with smooth ice tubes, creating an interesting contrast between the smooth, glossy texture of the ice and the soft, matte surface of the sachet. The ISO was set to 1000 to ensure proper exposure in the dim lighting, while the shutter speed of 1/200 second helped capture the image sharply, avoiding motion blur. The smooth texture of both the ice and the sachet brought harmony to the composition, with the ice serving as a subtle, cool background that allowed the warm tones of the sachet to stand out.
This activity was both insightful and enjoyable. It gave me a deeper understanding of how different camera settings—like ISO, shutter speed, and white balance—can significantly affect an image depending on the lighting conditions. I became more aware of how to adjust my setup to achieve the shot I envisioned, especially when working in low-light indoor settings. While I wouldn’t say I applied everything perfectly just yet, this experience served as a valuable starting point for developing my skills in exposure adjustment.
What made the experience even more fun was experimenting with creative shots and using simple materials, like a colored paper for the background or mirrors for reflection. It pushed me to be resourceful and more intentional with my composition. Overall, it was a meaningful hands-on learning process that allowed me to explore photography both technically and creatively.
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